ABC and Screen Australia announce four Art Bites projects

ABC and Screen Australia have announced four short-form documentary projects have received funding through ABC and Screen Australia’s Art Bites Initiative. This initiative is currently in its third year, encouraging filmmakers to produce a total of 6 x 5-minute documentary series for ABC’s online viewing platform ABC iView, based around art.

Each team will receive an investment of $60,000 from Screen Australia and ABC with state screen agencies adding an additional $30,000 to selected applicants from their jurisdiction. Each team will also have their series premiered on the ABC Arts channel iView sometime in 2019.

Head of Documentary at Screen Australia Liz Stevens commented on the news, saying “Art Bites is an important collaboration between filmmakers, the ABC and Screen Australia. There are not many chances for emerging filmmakers to practise their craft in Australia with a budget and the strong pathway to audience ABC iview provides. Past recipients of Art Bites funding continue to advance their filmmaking careers after this opportunity, so it’s an absolute pleasure to see this year’s four teams on the same path. The stories they’ll bring to life are about artists from diverse cultural backgrounds that will capture a snap shot of contemporary Australian life.”

Manager of ABC Arts Richard Buckham added, “We’re very excited about presenting to our audience the range of artists and art forms involved in this year’s Art Bites projects. The four new series reflect ideas of ‘diversity’ both in the innovative modes of artistic expression and in the stories of the individual artists that will be told this year. The series also promises to meet the challenge of exploring ABC iview Arts’ theme of ‘Where life and culture collide’ by discovering new connections between art and such areas as science, migration, family, and disability. The ABC greatly values this continuing collaboration with Screen Australia to support the production of quality digital-first content by some very talented emerging filmmakers.”

Against the Grain (VIC) comes from the production company Arenamedia with Santilla Chingaipe (Black As Me) in the directors chair. The series will follow six Australian artists as they tackle themes of migration and identity, each from diverse cultural backgrounds. Chloe Brugale, Kate Laurie and Robert Connolly will produce.

Biogenesis(WA) will also delve into a team of influential artists who redefine our understanding of the human body, creatively expressing the concepts of the body, nature and life itself. Directed by Steven Hughes (Top Knot Detective) and executive produced by Brendan Hutchens, Screenwest will also provide financial support.

Studio A (NSW) will follow six artists across various disciplines who thrive on finding different ways to communicate, using art as a tool to connect with their surroundings, while challenging what is expected, or what people think of those with an intellectual disability. The series will be produced by Jessica Giacco and directed by Georgia Quinn, with Yaara Bou Melhem and Lyn Norfor serving as executive producers. Screen NSW will also provide financial support.

Finally, The Unmissables (VIC) comes from director Madeleine Martiniello (Shore Leave) with Samantha Dinning and Philippa Campey serving as producers. The series will delve into the lives and memory of various missing individuals through the eyes of public works. Film Victoria will also provide financial support.

The AU Review would like to congratulate each selected team. Each series will premiere on ABC’s Arts Channel on ABC iView sometime in 2019.